Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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427. To ask the Minister for Health the additional cost of extending the meningitis B vaccination programme to children born before October 2016. [28398/16]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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435. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to implement a catch-up programme for the meningococcal B vaccine, similar to that which was provided in the UK; if access will be provided to children born before 1 October 2016 to this vaccine free of charge as part of the primary childhood immunisation schedule; if not, whether his Department plans to financially assist parents seeking to get older children vaccinated with the vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28438/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 427 and 435 together.

The HSE Service Plan included additional funding of €2.5 million for the expansion of the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule in 2016. There will be two changes made to the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule later this year with the introduction of Men B and Rotavirus for all babies born on or after 1 October, 2016. The HSE is currently working on the necessary preparations for the introduction of these new vaccines. All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge. The Men B immunisation programme which is scheduled to start in quarter 4 this year makes Ireland the second country in Europe to make the vaccine available free of charge as part of its national immunisation programme.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has recommended that the Men B vaccine is given at 2 and 4 months with a booster at 12 months of age. However, NIAC has made no recommendation in relation to a catch up programme for older children. The introduction of this vaccine to the childhood immunisation programmes means that all children born on or after 1 October, 2016 will automatically receive the vaccine. Those who have a medical card are eligible to have the vaccine administered by their GP free of charge. However, the purchase of the vaccine is not covered by the medical card scheme.